Need help understanding your business license requirements?
The following are some specific licenses, permits, requirements, and tax registrations that are common for construction and contractor establishments:
Sales and Use Tax Registration: Generally imposed on retail sales, leases, rentals of most goods and on some services, a Sales Tax ID is obtained by the state’s Department of Revenue. A Sales Tax ID enables the business to collect taxes, receive a sales tax exemption, and/or obtain resale certificates. New and existing businesses must understand whether and where they should apply for a Sales Tax ID –- the state will issue penalties if your company does not comply with these laws. Only a few states do not collect a sales tax (AK, DE, MT, NH, OR). Other names for the Sales Tax ID include:
- Reseller Permit
- Sales Tax Exemption Certificate
- Sales Tax Vendor ID Number
- Sales Tax Registration
- State Tax ID Number
- Reseller Tax ID
- Reseller Certificate
Electrical Contractor Licensing: Heavily regulated by state and local authorities, each authority has unique licensing laws and application requirements. Many states have an Electrical Contractors Board or Board of Electrical Examiners which administer examinations and issue licenses. Other states issue the license under the General Contractors Board as a Specialty License. Licensing agencies generally issue the following electrical licenses:
- Electrical Contractor
- Apprentice Electrician
- Journeyman Electrician
- Master Electrician
Several states classify electrical contractor licensing further under the following classifications in order to determine the monetary limits of contracts businesses can conduct:
- Limited/Restricted Electrical Contractors
- Intermediate Electrical Contractors
- Unlimited/Unrestricted Electrical Contractors
Lastly, some states go further and allow local jurisdictions to enact their own regulations which are often more stringent than state requirements. State and local authorities often allow specific licensing exemptions for specific types of electrical businesses such as low voltage contractors.
General Contractor Licensing: Applies to owners and operators that are primarily responsible for the supervision of an entire construction project. Each state has a General Contractor Board that establishes regulations and administers certification examinations to verify the competency, applied background and training necessary to obtain licensing. Many states have local authorities with unique licensing and application requirements.
Home Improvement Licensing: Heavily regulated at the state and local level, many jurisdictions require specific licensing for home improvement which may require multiple application requirements. Licensing applies whether the work is commercial or residential. States and localities specify what home improvement work requires licensing.
Commercial Painter Licensing: Commercial painters are regulated at the state and local level. Some states require a General Contractor’s license with a Specialty License in painting. Multiple application requirements may exist based on the locality within the state where the work will take place. Other states do not require a license but may require registering a business at the state and/or local level. This may involve incorporating if you are starting a new commercial painter business or applying for a Certificate of Authority (also called Foreign Qualification) if you are doing business in another state.
Residential Painter Licensing: Most states require residential painter licensing which may involve licensing at the local level. Some states issue the license under the General Contractors Board as a Specialty License while other states require a Home Improvement license.
Solar Contractor Licensing: The solar industry is heavily regulated at the state and local level, many jurisdictions require specific licensing for solar contractors which may require multiple application requirements. Licensing applies whether the work is commercial or residential. Some states require solar contractors to acquire an Electrical Contractor license or General Contractor license with a Specialty in solar contracting.
Specialty Contractor Licensing: All states and most local jurisdictions regulate specialty contractor licensing to reduce the risk potential for harm during certain types of construction. Common types of contractor classifications that require Specialty Licensing include:
- Concrete
- Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning (HVAC)
- Landscaping (some states)
- Painting
- Plumbing
- Roofing
- Swimming Pool
- Solar
Certain contractor classifications may require passing state trade exams to obtain the license.